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Next Saturday’s workshop with @nessie_ramm is fast approaching. Create your own painted metal sign for a garden or community space - either as a decorative piece or a simple way to protect areas of wild planting.

Working with enamel paint on aluminium, you’ll make a durable, weatherproof sign inspired by flowers and wildlife observed during a short walk in the green spaces around the gallery.

All materials are provided. You’ll be using weatherproof enamel paint, so please bring an apron or wear clothes suitable for painting.

Each participant will take home an aluminium sign (approx. 30cm diameter) mounted on a 1m wooden stake.

To book, visit theblackshedgallery.org.uk or send us a message on Instagram or Facebook.

#whatstrendingblackshed #blackshedgallery #sussexartist #art #robertsbridge

blackShed wants to give a little shout out to Lorna Ough & Hazel Dowling and their recent performance, ‘Zugunruhe: in a fugue for five voices’ which formed part of Sculpture in the Garden: The Storytellers exhibition, curated by Iwona Blazwick and Katie Delamere, Curators Inc. in the grounds of Worcester College, Oxford. The exhibition is free to attend and runs until July 5th.

A special thanks also to Lauren Dyer-Amazeen for being part of the performance and to Lene Volhardt for choreography assistance!

“Hazel Dowling and Lorna Ough are East Sussex based visual artists for whom collaborative song-making and the co-creation of acoustic soundscapes open up the opportunity to learn about the many layers of intelligence that interconnect in landscapes. In this instance, they divert from the human-centric, towards an ornithological perspective on notions of borders, territory and the instinct to migrate. For the occasion of The Storytellers, time spent with Sussex Wildlife Trust and in dialogue with those tending to the college grounds, has given a deeper insight into the migratory flight paths of the Swift and House Martin, that find temporary resting points within the floodplain of Worcester College. ‘Zugunruhe’, a German term meaning the intense restlessness birds experience prior to migration, has been an anchor for their ethnographic, dialogic and archival research, extending their practice into a choreographed movement score, where animism becomes an agent for expanding notions of interspecies consciousness.”
(Hazel Dowling & Lorna Ough)

Installation View
Sculpture in the Garden: The Storytellers
© Fisher Studios

And thanks to Joe Hendry for the video 🌞

#whatstrendingblackshed #art #sculptureinthegarden #blackshedgallery #artgallery

blackShed wants to give a little shout out to Lorna Ough & Hazel Dowling and their recent performance, ‘Zugunruhe: in a fugue for five voices’ which formed part of Sculpture in the Garden: The Storytellers exhibition, curated by Iwona Blazwick and Katie Delamere, Curators Inc. in the grounds of Worcester College, Oxford. The exhibition is free to attend and runs until July 5th.

A special thanks also to Lauren Dyer-Amazeen for being part of the performance and to Lene Volhardt for choreography assistance!

“Hazel Dowling and Lorna Ough are East Sussex based visual artists for whom collaborative song-making and the co-creation of acoustic soundscapes open up the opportunity to learn about the many layers of intelligence that interconnect in landscapes. In this instance, they divert from the human-centric, towards an ornithological perspective on notions of borders, territory and the instinct to migrate. For the occasion of The Storytellers, time spent with Sussex Wildlife Trust and in dialogue with those tending to the college grounds, has given a deeper insight into the migratory flight paths of the Swift and House Martin, that find temporary resting points within the floodplain of Worcester College. ‘Zugunruhe’, a German term meaning the intense restlessness birds experience prior to migration, has been an anchor for their ethnographic, dialogic and archival research, extending their practice into a choreographed movement score, where animism becomes an agent for expanding notions of interspecies consciousness.”
(Hazel Dowling & Lorna Ough)

Installation View
Sculpture in the Garden: The Storytellers
© Fisher Studios

And thanks to Joe Hendry for the video 🌞

#whatstrendingblackshed #art #sculptureinthegarden #blackshedgallery #artgallery

Next Saturday 23 May join artist Nessie Ramm for our RE-WILDED ROAD SIGN WORKSHOP as part of A21: Life on the VERGE 🌱 🛣️

Create your own painted aluminium sign inspired by wildflowers and rewilded spaces, perfect for gardens, allotments or community projects.

2:00 to 4:30pm £35 per person. All abilities welcome.

Places are limited, so booking is essential.

Book via Instagram, our website, or contact Lorna through the gallery.

#whatstrendingblackshed #sussexartist #robertsbridge#artgallery #sussex

What a lovely surprise to arrive at BlackShed yesterday morning and be greeted by Pete “The Pond” @petethepond and his team quietly carrying out a little annual maintenance on our pond, apparently Lorna knew all about it! 👀

Pete had simply popped by to check everything was functioning as it should. I won’t lie, it’s been a tricky year with the lack of rain, but the pond has now been cleared, a few repairs made, topped up with water from a nearby natural source in the woods, and even a few new plants added.

Now, halfway through the season, we can really begin looking forward to the pond maturing and supporting new life around the gallery. A huge thank you to Pete and the team for the care and attention, not forgetting the volunteers who have worked with us over the last 12 months, alongside the original project leaders @charlottestill4385 @clarewhistler and @highwealdnl

#whatstrendingblackshed #highwealdnationallandscapes #pondlife #robertsbridge #sussexart

Thanks to those who came to launch my #A21 exhibition @blackshed gallery on Saturday - I loved talking to each and every one of you, thank you for being so very receptive to my road verge tales and facts! The paintings exhibited were made with the help of a fellowship grant from @societybotanicalartists

Exhibition continues to 7th June in Robertsbridge, East Sussex.

#botanicalart #sussexartist

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

What a wonderful weekend at BlackShed. We began with the launch of Nessie Ramm’s extraordinary exhibition A21: Life on the Verge. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces through the doors!

Then up before dawn on Sunday morning with my good friend Martin Brockman for the Robertsbridge Dawn Chorus experience, gathering to hear the legendary Robertsbridge nightingales.

We are incredibly lucky to still have them here in the #HighWealdNationalLandscape around Robertsbridge, singing through the night into the early morning. Yet there is also sadness in recognising the noticeable decline in birdsong overall in recent years.

With fewer than recorded 5,000-6,000 pairs thought to remain in the UK (as reported on BBC4 this morning), hearing nightingales here feels increasingly rare and special.

#Nightingale #DawnChorus #Robertsbridge #NessieRamm

Join us this afternoon for the much anticipated launch of Nessie Ramm’s solo show, A21: Life On The Verge!

4:00-6:00pm, come along, bring your friends and get to know the wild side of the A21 🌿🪲 🛣️

#whatstrendingblackshed #sussexart #robertsbridge #artgallery #art

Install week has begun for A21: Life on the Verge by Nessie Ramm.

Road signs overtaken by wild planting, painted verge studies and works developed directly from the roadside are beginning to take over the gallery ahead of Saturday’s opening.

The exhibition explores the overlooked ecology of the A21 corridor, the flowers, grasses and habitats that exist alongside one of the South East’s busiest roads.

Join us this Saturday for the opening event: Wine, conversation & a chance to meet the artist.

🕓 Saturday 9 May, 4 to 6pm

📍 BlackShed Gallery, Robertsbridge

Exhibition continues until 7 June.

#art #sussex #artgallery #robertsbridge #whatstrendingblackshed

Install week has begun for A21: Life on the Verge by Nessie Ramm.

Road signs overtaken by wild planting, painted verge studies and works developed directly from the roadside are beginning to take over the gallery ahead of Saturday’s opening.

The exhibition explores the overlooked ecology of the A21 corridor, the flowers, grasses and habitats that exist alongside one of the South East’s busiest roads.

Join us this Saturday for the opening event: Wine, conversation & a chance to meet the artist.

🕓 Saturday 9 May, 4 to 6pm

📍 BlackShed Gallery, Robertsbridge

Exhibition continues until 7 June.

#art #sussex #artgallery #robertsbridge #whatstrendingblackshed

Install week has begun for A21: Life on the Verge by Nessie Ramm.

Road signs overtaken by wild planting, painted verge studies and works developed directly from the roadside are beginning to take over the gallery ahead of Saturday’s opening.

The exhibition explores the overlooked ecology of the A21 corridor, the flowers, grasses and habitats that exist alongside one of the South East’s busiest roads.

Join us this Saturday for the opening event: Wine, conversation & a chance to meet the artist.

🕓 Saturday 9 May, 4 to 6pm

📍 BlackShed Gallery, Robertsbridge

Exhibition continues until 7 June.

#art #sussex #artgallery #robertsbridge #whatstrendingblackshed

Install week has begun for A21: Life on the Verge by Nessie Ramm.

Road signs overtaken by wild planting, painted verge studies and works developed directly from the roadside are beginning to take over the gallery ahead of Saturday’s opening.

The exhibition explores the overlooked ecology of the A21 corridor, the flowers, grasses and habitats that exist alongside one of the South East’s busiest roads.

Join us this Saturday for the opening event: Wine, conversation & a chance to meet the artist.

🕓 Saturday 9 May, 4 to 6pm

📍 BlackShed Gallery, Robertsbridge

Exhibition continues until 7 June.

#art #sussex #artgallery #robertsbridge #whatstrendingblackshed

✨Hastings Open is back ✨

📣We are now inviting entries to our third Hastings Open exhibition.

We are delighted to welcome submissions from all Southeast England-based artists working in the following mediums: painting, sculpture, drawing, print, photography, textiles, digital, mixed media, and video. Selected artists will have their work exhibited in our Long Gallery from October 2026 - January 2027.

For full details and to apply, please visit the link in our bio.

Produced in partnership by Hastings Museum & Art Gallery and The blackShed Gallery, the Hastings Open #exhibition aspires to explore, challenge, and celebrate the diverse trials and triumphs of #contemporary life—presenting an exemplary collection of #artworks that reflect a wide array of artistic practices, expressions, and lived experiences.

✨Hastings Open is back ✨

📣We are now inviting entries to our third Hastings Open exhibition.

We are delighted to welcome submissions from all Southeast England-based artists working in the following mediums: painting, sculpture, drawing, print, photography, textiles, digital, mixed media, and video. Selected artists will have their work exhibited in our Long Gallery from October 2026 - January 2027.

For full details and to apply, please visit the link in our bio.

Produced in partnership by Hastings Museum & Art Gallery and The blackShed Gallery, the Hastings Open #exhibition aspires to explore, challenge, and celebrate the diverse trials and triumphs of #contemporary life—presenting an exemplary collection of #artworks that reflect a wide array of artistic practices, expressions, and lived experiences.

A21: Life on the Verge 🛣️

Painted from the roadside, this body of work explores the overlooked ecologies that exist alongside one of the region’s busiest routes.

Opening Saturday 9 May, 4–6pm
BlackShed Gallery

#art #sussex #robertsbridge #artgallery

A21: Life on the Verge 🛣️

Painted from the roadside, this body of work explores the overlooked ecologies that exist alongside one of the region’s busiest routes.

Opening Saturday 9 May, 4–6pm
BlackShed Gallery

#art #sussex #robertsbridge #artgallery

⭐️ Frame of the Week ⭐️

Wow! 🤩

This exhibition features artists Zana Masomuka, Eddy Kamwanga Ilunga, Alexis Peskipe and Djibril at @octobergallerylondon selected works framed by the blackShed picture framing team. What a great looking installation, curated by October Gallery and photographed by our good friend @jonathangreetphotographer

INHERITING THE FUTURE opened 16 April and runs until 16 May, so if you’re in London it’s very worth a visit.

#blackshed #pictureframing #octobergallery #art #artgallery

Nessie Ramm featured on BBC Radio 4’s Open Country.

Ahead of her exhibition A21: Life on the Verge, Nessie was interviewed by Martha Kearney along the roadside of the A21, exploring the overlooked beauty and ecological importance of verge landscapes.
In the interview, Nessie shares her insight into the species, habitats and seasonal changes found in these often ignored spaces, and how they inform her painting practice.

This exhibition brings that same perspective into the gallery, through a series of works alongside a programme of workshops, talks and guided walks.

📍 A21: Life on the Verge
📅 9 May – 7 June
🕓 Opening: Saturday 9 May, 4–6pm

🎧 Listen to Open Country: Roadside Verges on BBC Radio 4

#whatstrendingblackshed #sussex #art #bbcradio4